New Ulm weekly review., 1887-03-09
WASHINGTON LETTER.
Washington, March I

| WASHINGTON LETTER.
Washington, March 4th 1887.
Will there be an extra session? This
is an important question at the Capital
just now. You hear it discussed on
every side. AS to the probability and
necessity for called session Of the two
Houses or q special session Of the SEN
ate, the opinions of our lawmakers diff
fer wild ely. Some say the backward
state of the Appropriation bills, for
which the Democratic branch of Con-
gress is entirely to blame, make a call
ed session inevitable. Others say the
work will all be done and both Hous-
es will be ready to adjourn on next Fri
day.
Congressman never want an extra ses-
sion, but the people OF Washington al
ways do. 1t is to their interest for Con-
! gress to hang as long as possible, and
they would like for its sessions perennial.
The House is now working night and day
iu order to get through. Hon. Mr. But
terworth of Ohio, who is much opposed
to an extra session, says the House is
very censurable for it's delay of this
work. He is member of the powerful
Appropriations Committee of the House
but he is a Republican member, and CT
course insthe minority on a vote. He
was speaking of the unfairness on the
part OF the House in not giving the Sen
ate time to carefully consider these bills,
but said he 1.-The only question involv-
ed is th.t of amount, it is not as if there
was any legislation connected with
them. The Senate can dispose of them
in very short 1ime.''
There has been perfect pot.pourri
in thelpre ceedings of Congress during
remaining few days. The calendars of
both Houses are exceedingly cumber-
SOME, and SO much business of great
Importance demands attention that the
temptation to undue haste is irresisti-
ble'
While the matter of appointments
and combinations is not in. itself suffici-
ent to bring about IN ezra session of
the Senate, it contributes to the intlu-
ence which may produce 81 called ses-
sion. Opinions respecting the Presi-
dents power to appoint the Interstate
Commerce Commissioners during re-
cess of the Senate are widely apart. The
President thinks he has the right to do
so and Senator Sherman agrees with him
as does also the Attorney General who
has rendered an opinion and cited At
torney Generals Stanberry, Evarts, Will
liams, and Devens as precedent.
But Messrs. Edm unds, Harris, Pugh,
and other Senators Of prominence de-
clare that the President has no shadow
of Constitutional right to fill newly
created Office when the Senate is not in
session to = i've its advice and consent.
They hold that his power in the matter
is limited to filling vacancies tempora-
rily which may happen during the re-
cess. .--.. --..-
There is good deal OF speculating as
to what the President will do with the
bill recently passed by both Houses of
Congress making q Department OF Agri-
culture and an addition to the Cabinet
to be called the Secretary Of Agriculture.
This bill has been pending in Congress
for years and was passed once before by
Dotn branches, but was vetoed by Presi-
ent Arthur. Agriculturists generally
have pelitioned for its passage OF late
and it is thought Mr. Cleveland will not
veto 1t for fear Of importing his politi-
cal future.
1t has been just thirty eight years
since Il Congress created q new EXecu-
tive Department. Our first President
began his administration with u Cabinet
of three members, the Secretaries of
State, Treasury and War. At the be-
ginning of his second term, however, the
Attorney General was added to his off.
cial household, and later the Navy De-
partment was organized. The Cabinet
then consisted of five members until
1929, when the Postmaster General was
added. Twenty years later Congress
organized the last Department, that of
the Interior. and President Taylor made
Thomas living, of Ohio, its first Secre-
tary.
AS soon as Mr. Cercoran, the vener-
able and widely known Washington
philanthropist, learned of the arrival of
Mrs. Grant in this city, he called tc see
her. She has also been visited by all
the employees of the White House who
were there during her residence in it.
Mrs. Cleveland had grown 3 little ia.
tigued from the numerous official hos
pitalities which always crowd the last
fortnight of the gay season, and well
coined the quiet Lent.
Such mild festivities as Shakesperian.
German and French readings, whist
clubs, Dorcas meetings, musicales and
sewing schools, are now IN order, and
seem to be full of interest to those who
give up all social pomp and vanities
during the Lenten season.
These are busy days in Washington
Congress is hurrying through with its
business, and the citizens are busy max
ing ready for the great National Drill to
be held here in the coming May. Most
of the States have notified the officers in
charge of the enterprise that they will
send troops. On Thursday the adjutant
nannral Of the State Of kanfnnku wac